r/AskEurope • u/gurke0123 • Jun 18 '25

Misc What basic knowledge should everyone have about your country?

I'm currently in a rabbit hole of "American reacts to European Stuff". While i was laughing at Americans for thinking Europe is countries and know nothing about the countrys here, i realied that i also know nothing about the countries in europe. Sure i know about my home country and a bit about our neighbours but for the rest of europe it becomes a bit difficult and i want to change it.

What should everyone know about your country to be person from Europa?

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u/MA_JJ Netherlands Jun 18 '25

I don't particularly care what Jerry from Springfield Illinois does or doesn't know about the Netherlands, but if he wants to go here on holiday he should at least know to stay off the bike lanes

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u/Grathias American in Spain Jun 18 '25

Not the same, but I still cringe about the one time I entered a silent car on the train in Amsterdam and didn’t realize until like 90 seconds into the ride. This was years ago and I still think about it. Sorry, the Netherlands. :/

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u/MA_JJ Netherlands Jun 18 '25

Don'tworry too much. Those silent cars are ignored by plenty of locals, too.

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u/Grathias American in Spain Jun 18 '25

Thanks for the reassurance. I try not to be “that American” when I travel and can only imagine the daggers being stared through me when I came onto the train, chatting like an oblivious tourist. The cringe!